Police are alerting thousands of residents who live in Midtown to keep their doors and windows locked after several burglars hit homes in the area over the weekend.

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Thieves broke into homes entering through sliding glass doors and open windows, police said. According to police reports, the incidents were specifically from 52nd to 72nd streets and Dodge to Blondo streets.

Crime prevention specialist Bridget Fitzpatrick said homeowners are making it too easy for thieves to break in.

“Check your windows. Are your screens tight? Just look around and think like a burglar. You have to think of ways they could get in,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said making sure your home is secure is easy.

“Just anything, like I said, sticking a towel in there. They're not going to be able to open the door. It's going to jam,” she said. “You can get a screw and screw it above your windows that lift up, and make sure they can't lift up far enough to where somebody could crawl through it.”

Police said keeping an eye out can make the most difference. Anne Roberts, Fairacres Terrace Neighborhood Watch captain, said the best way to monitor your neighborhood is through a Neighborhood Watch where neighbors and police join forces to fight crime.

“They can't be everywhere all the time watching every minute of every day, and so we just become part of the team,” Roberts said.